aspiration

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "aspiration" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a strong desire to achieve something, such as a particular career, status, or goal. For example: "Ever since she was a child, Priya has had the aspiration to become a doctor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And unless Labour is able to embrace a politics of aspiration and inclusion, a politics that defies some of the traditional labels that have dogged politics for so long, then it's not going to win".

The Guardian

Too many in Labour are looking back on Tony Blair's time in office with "rose-tinted glasses" and claiming pejoratively that the party no longer understands aspiration, Sadiq Khan, one of the party's London mayoral hopefuls, has said.

The Guardian

"It means your dad working all the overtime hours that London Transport will give you, aspiration means your mum, notwithstanding having eight children, works as a seamstress at home as well to make ends meet.

The Guardian

David Miliband has delivered a harsh critique of his brother's election campaign, saying it appeared to push the Labour party backwards from the principles of aspiration and inclusion.

The Guardian

The comments, and the backlash against them, illustrate how a tormented racial history dating back centuries is in constant tension with the aspiration of a "rainbow nation".

The Guardian

That document would draw heavily on his report, commissioned by Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie, on greater "home rule" for Scotland, a broad aspiration that often attracts the most support from Scottish voters in opinion polls on constitutional reform, and some pro-reform thinktanks.

The Guardian

"The aspiration for the founders is that Xiaomi will become a global company that happens to be in China," said Barra - Xiaomi's first non-Chinese hire.

The Guardian - Tech

The remaining UK is not bound by that aspiration.

The Guardian

In adolescence, this national love affair with Italy conflicted rather eccentrically with a secret aspiration to temper and anglicise my innately Latin character.

The Guardian - Opinion

This suggests Cameron is planning to follow the example of Margaret Thatcher and John Major, who inflicted four successive general election defeats on Labour by portraying the Tories as the guardians of aspiration and by depicting Michael Foot and Neil Kinnock as leftwing threats to economic stability.

The Guardian

Nothing should stop you going to university if you have the ability and the aspiration.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a burst of air, remember that aspiration also refers to the pronunciation of certain consonants. Be mindful of context to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "aspiration" when "inspiration" is more appropriate. "Aspiration" refers to a goal or ambition, while "inspiration" refers to a feeling of enthusiasm or a creative impulse.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "aspiration" is as a noun. It typically refers to a strong desire or ambition to achieve something. Ludwig examples show it used to describe personal goals and societal values.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aspiration" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a strong desire or ambition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it is very common, especially in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. The word carries a generally neutral to formal tone and is used to express goals and ambitions. When writing, ensure it's not confused with "inspiration", and consider alternatives like "ambition" or "goal" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ambition

A strong desire to achieve something, often implying a higher or more significant goal.

goal

A specific objective or aim that one strives to achieve.

desire

A strong feeling of wanting something.

dream

A cherished hope or ambition.

longing

A strong desire or yearning, often for something unattainable.

yearning

A feeling of intense longing for something.

hope

A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

endeavor

A determined or strenuous effort; an attempt to achieve something.

objective

A thing aimed at or sought; a goal.

aim

A purpose or intention; a desired outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "aspiration" in a sentence?

You can use "aspiration" to describe a strong desire to achieve something. For example, "Her "aspiration" is to become a successful entrepreneur."

What's the difference between "aspiration" and "ambition"?

"Aspiration" generally implies a noble or elevated goal, while "ambition" can refer to any strong desire for achievement, regardless of its moral value.

What can I say instead of "aspiration"?

You can use alternatives like "ambition", "goal", or "desire", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "aspiration of" or "aspiration to"?

Both "aspiration of" and "aspiration to" are grammatically correct, but "aspiration to" is more commonly used when referring to a specific goal or achievement. For example, "She has an "aspiration to" become a doctor."